Tonight's session is on BALANCING

The balancing position in bridge is the last person who can bid in the auction,
that is, if the balancer passes then the auction will be over.

It is often called '4th seat' too, as you will often be the 4th person to bid.
For example, (1!d)-Pass-(Pass)-? is the balancing position in the 4th seat.

However, balancing calls occur in many other auctions,
such as Pass-(1!s)-Pass-(2!s); Pass-(Pass)-?

But tonight most of the hands will focus on 4th seat bidding.

So when the auction goes (1!h)-Pass-(Pass)-? to you, what do we know about the hand?

Well, right hand oppo (RHO) does not have enough to respond so will be very weak.
We know our partner cannot bid over 1!h, so will not have a good hand with five spades,
not a takeout double, nor 15-17 balanced with a heart stop, etc ...

but there are still many good hands that partner could have without being able to bid safely
so balancing is often called PROTECTING, 
as you will bid now to protect partner when he has a good hand

There is one fundamental principle of 4th seat bidding ... does anyone know it?

Yes, it is the 'TRANSFER A KING' principle

This means, when bidding in the 4th seat, you should 'borrow' a king from partner when bidding
This makes an allowance for partner holding some points
So, imagine the bidding has gone (1!h)-Pass-(Pass)-? to you
and you hold !sKJxx !hx !dAxxx !cJxxx
This is only a 9 count and you would pass if you had to bid directly over (1!h)
But in the 4th seat you can 'transfer a king', so treat it as if you have a 12 count ... 
so you can make a takeout double

Naturally there is a corollory to this principle for the balancer's partner.
If your partner balances, then you must 'REMOVE A KING' from your hand before bidding
because partner has already bid it.

So, imagine the bidding has gone (1!h)-Pass-(Pass)-Dbl; (Pass)-?
and you hold !sAxxx !hJxxx !dKxx !cQx
Holding 10 points you would normally jump to 2!s over partner's takeout double
But, as partner has balanced, you should remove a king and treat your hand as 7 points
and bid a simple 1!s

So that is the theory, let's play some hands.